Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-08-04
Why a Tariff for Revenue Only
Should Be Opposed.

Why Tariff for Revenue Only"
Should Be Opposed.
In 1910 the total manufactures in the
United States of every description
amounted TO Sl2O,OO0,0OO. OF this sum
S4O,O00,O0O was in wool. S14.0O0.000 in
iron, and S5,OOO0O0 in wood. The man>
ufacturers of the country were compel
led to meet such ruinous competition
with Great Britain that il seemed as if
our infant struggles to pay derent prices
for labor, and yet compete in price with
English goods in the open market, would
prove disastrous failure. At the close
of the war in 1915. the British manufac-
turers determined to crush their Amer
ican rivals. English cheap labor, long
experience, and unlimited capital made
it utterly impracticable for the people
of the United States to compete with
British manufactures unless they were
protected by high tariff against the
foreign articles. These facts were well
known abroad, and the result was that
our MAJ kets were glutted with foreign
goods. In 1915, from January to Sept,
the total value of our imports was $685.
OsO,073. From October, 1915, to Octo
Der, 1916, they were nearly doubled,
amounting to S155,3 300. Our home
manufacturers were almost helpless,and
ruin stared them in the face. The poll
cy of great Britain after the war was
the same she pursued so rigidly when
she forbade the colonies TO manufacture
single article of necessity. In the
House of Commons Lord Brougham
stated in explicit language the proposed
policy of that at,country:-
1t is well worth while to incur loss
upon the first expectation in order by
the glut to stiflle in the cradle those ris-
| ing manufactures in the United States
which the war has forced into existence
contrary to the natural course of things.
Yet, notwithstanding this was the
golden era for the free trader, and
goods could be bought here at price as
low as in any market in the world, our
people could not buy because they were
earning nothing, and from North to
South they petitioned Congress to pros
tect them from threatened ruin "by en-
couraging and supporting the growing
manufactures of the nation"
The high tariff of 1924 brought unu-
sual prosperity to the nation. Foreign
goods were driven from the country.
Manufactures sprang up all over the
land. The farmer found market for
his produce. Labor found profitable
employment. Mr.. Clay stated during
the existence of this tariff that property
in the United States had doubled in VAL
ue. Every reader of history knows that
South Carolina rebelled against the gov.
eminent. The result was compromise
tariff in 1888. What was the result?
The most widespread devastation and
ruin. Property was sold at trifing priv
ces. The bankruptcy and distress of
1887 will long be rememb bered. In Ohio,
as late as 1912, it was almost impossible
to get money enough to pay taxes. In
Muskingum county a good four-horse
wagon was sold by the Sheriff for $50 so.
ten hogs at 81 cents each, two horses
worth $50 or S75 each, for 81 each, two
cows at 81 each. and sugar at 81 so
barrel. 1t was estimated that the losses
in the United States from 1887 to 1912
on five articles of capital alone reached
$782, 100000.
In 1910 the Whig party elected its
President, and in 1912 Congress passed
the protective tariff bill. 1t was follow
ed by new era of prosperity. Furnaces
were lighted, the music of the mill
wheels was again heard. labor every
where found ready employment. the
farmers rejoiced in a profitable market.
| Commerce, external and internal was
rapidly extending its usefulness, and the
entire country rejoiced in new and en-.
larged development and wealth. In
lS46 the Democrats repealed this tariff.
Almost the same results followed as
in 1888. Mr.. Casey, in 1850, declared in
Congress that l24 blast furnaces in
Pennsylvania were closed by the Sheriff
as the result of this tariff repeal. Mr..
Henry G. Casey, in commenting upon
the ruin caused by the Democratic tariff
of 1916, speaks of that year as the "close
of brief period of real prosperity"
The first Congress under Lincoln pass.
ed genuine protective tariff law. Its
splendid results none but fanatic can
question. From 1860 to 1870, capital
increased in manufacturing ITO per cent.
In 1860 the total manufactures of the
United States amounted to $10i0 OOO,-
coo; in 1880, or only twenty years there-
after, to the sum of S5,37O,0OO,OOo. In
1860. there were only 1,510 establish
ments working iron, and 22370 work.
men. In 1880, there were 3,532 estab.
lishments, and 29s, 1882 workmen. During
this same period the wages of labor
more than doubled.
Nor was the farmer forgotten IN all
this wonderful development. In 1860,
the corn produced was S89, 900, 900 bush.
els; in 1880, 1.5O0,OO0,O0O bushels. In
! 1860 the production of wheat was 174,-